How to Prevent a Large-Scale Water Damage Disaster at a Vacation Home

 All Pro Services, a family-owned and operated water damage restoration company, has been serving Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Park City, Heber, Tooele, and the surrounding area since 1987. Services include disaster cleanup and restoration, biohazard and virus protection, construction and rebuilds, and cleaning and janitorial services.

The team specializes in remediating property damage from burst pipes, flooding, toilet overflows, and sewage backup. Using the latest equipment, technicians also implement water cleanup and water removal.

Utah features some of the most splendid and majestic views in the world. Because of the beauty of the state, vacation homes are commonly found in the area. Beautiful lakes and rivers, fantastic hiking opportunities, and world-class ski resorts are magnets that attract many vacationers all through the year. However, vacation homes in Salt Lake City, UT, and the surrounding area are more vulnerable to large-scale water damage disasters than homes that are occupied year-round by homeowners and their families.

How to Avoid Water Damage in a Vacation Home

There are many moisture points in a vacation home. The conscientious property owner can lose sleep worrying about a water damage disaster. One way to obtain peace of mind is to implement the precautions mentioned below.

• Install Bluetooth cameras throughout the house.

Electronic “eyes” on vacant property enable the homeowner to spot leaks almost as soon as they occur. A trusted neighbor, property manager, or plumber can be called on to visually inspect the property and mitigate the water intrusion if possible.  A property damage restoration team may then be dispatched to the location to remove standing water, begin the drying and dehumidifying process, and repair any damage to the home or business.

• Install water detection technology.

State-of-the-art water detection devices with Bluetooth capabilities can notify a property owner or property manager of a leak almost as soon as it occurs. Some devices are also able to shut off the water in the line so that the leak stops as soon as the water pressure decreases. Contact a reputable plumber for advice on product selection, installation, and operation of these cutting-edge technologies.

• Turn off water supply lines to the washer before leaving the house for extended periods.

A ruptured supply line can allow hundreds of gallons of water per hour to spill into a home. If the house has a basement without a sump pump, the damage could be catastrophic.

• Switch out rubber hoses for steel-reinforced braided water supply lines.

Make this switch on the washer, dishwasher, faucet supply lines, and icemaker. A few dollars of prevention could save thousands of dollars in restoration and replacement costs.

• Install a key and lockbox with a security code.

This strategy enables damage restoration service personnel to have immediate access to the property should a water damage disaster occur.

• Create a laminated plat of the property that has the location of water turnoff valves clearly marked.

Post the waterproof plat in several locations inside the home. Give a copy to the property manager and any trusted service providers such as the plumber, electrician, HVAC company, and pre-qualified damage restoration company in the Salt Lake City area. Also, store a copy of the document on the cloud that can be easily accessed with a digital device. The hunt for critical water valves costs valuable minutes that allow the water damage disaster to expand in scope.

• Anticipate appliance and water line failures.

Proper maintenance can extend the life of an appliance beyond the manufacturer’s specifications. However, in a vacation home that is empty for long periods or is leased to numerous guests throughout the year as an income stream, the preemptive replacement of appliances before they cause a problem makes sense. Water supply lines can undergo scheduled early replacement. This proactive strategy can prevent thousands of dollars in property damage.

• Pre-qualify a property damage restoration company.

Another way to achieve peace of mind is to pre-qualify a water damage restoration team before a disaster occurs. Homeowners can rest easy knowing that they have a highly qualified property damage restoration team available to respond immediately once the call is placed.

For more details aboutSalt Lake City, UT, water clean up services, contact All Pro Services by phone at (435) 660-5646. The office can also be reached by email at office@allproutah.com.

Will Insurance Pay for Water Damage Resulting From a Dishwasher Leak?

 The team at All Pro Services is passionate about serving families and businesses who need water damage restoration services after a water damage disaster, such as a leaking dishwasher or other appliance. The family-owned and operated company is committed to meeting the immediate recovery and restoration needs of victims impacted by water damage. From the initial contact to the completion of the restoration project, All Pro Services walks customers through this challenging time and assists customers with the insurance claims process.

The dishwasher and water damage

The dishwasher is one of the greatest advances in home appliance technology, freeing up time and energy for other activities in the home. Over the years, scientists have dramatically improved the dishwasher. The spray jets are so effective that the pre-rinsing of plates, bowls, and utensils is unnecessary.

Early models required much more water than more efficient modern dishwasher models currently do. Older, conventional dishwashers required approximately ten gallons of water per load. In 2013, water-usage standards were established that required that dishwashers use no more than five gallons of water per load. Recent innovations enable energy-saving models to effectively clean a load of dishes with three gallons of water. The water savings add up to an estimated 5,000 gallons of water per year. During the main cycle, the internal heating element heats the water to around 160 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to remove any food still left on the dishes and dissolve all the soap. Sensors precisely monitor the water level in the unit. Washing the same load of dishes in the sink would consume as much as twenty-seven gallons of water.

However, modern dishwashers are not without their drawbacks and can easily flood the kitchen if the unit malfunctions. When the gasket or door latch wears out, water will leak around the door. If an O-ring or gasket degrades in the pump, water can leak under the unit. A leak under the dishwasher can persist until the floor rots out or mold begins to grow in the dark, moist, and warm environment under the appliance.

Dishwashers are generally very reliable appliances and are usually moved only when they are being replaced. At that point, the damage is often discovered. Occasionally, check under the unit with a flashlight for signs of a leak from the pump, a cracked tub, or a leaky drain connection. If the water supply line to the dishwasher ruptures, the approximately five gallons of water per minute that flood into the kitchen will be quickly noticed unless no one is around to see the spreading deluge.

Does insurance cover water damage from a dishwasher leak?

If a dishwasher malfunctions or leaks, insurance may cover the water damage. However, the water leak must be sudden and accidental. Insurance will not cover a water damage incident caused by a leaking dishwasher if:

• The appliance is an older unit and out of warranty
• Proper mechanical maintenance to the unit has been neglected
• A leak has been allowed to continue without being addressed by the homeowner

Each situation is unique and has its own set of circumstances that must be worked out with the insurance company to determine if coverage applies. If the claim is denied, the homeowner can request that the application be reconsidered. The homeowner may be required to give proof of due diligence to maintain the unit. Inspection and service records can be helpful when appealing the denial of coverage. If the appliance is still under warranty, include the warranty card.

Help is available and on the way

A property damage disaster resulting from a leaking or overflowing dishwasher is stressful enough. Dealing with the insurance company and the sometimes complicated and confusing insurance claim process adds unwanted and unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation. This additional layer of stress for homeowners or businesses is entirely avoidable when they partner with the right water damage restoration company.

All Pro Services gathers all the pertinent information and works with the property owner’s insurance company, making the claim process hassle-free. The team at All Pro Services coordinates with the homeowner to accurately assess the damages and assist with the filing process.

All Pro Services has a long-standing working relationship with major insurance companies, including Allied, USAA, Zurich, Travelers, Safeco Insurance, State Farm, The Hartford, Farmers, Kemper, Liberty Mutual, MetLife, Nationwide, Progressive, Farm Bureau, Dairyland Insurance, Foremost, Chubb, and Allstate. Experience working with many industry-leading insurance providers means All Pro Services is competent in maneuvering through the claims process.

• The company utilizes Xactimate, an insurance claims estimating software, to comply with industry-standard pricing.
• The project manager from All Pro Services prepares and presents a detailed estimate to the homeowner and any other applicable parties.
• The homeowner must then approve and sign the estimate to initiate services.

The professionals at All Pro Services of Utah are experts in water damage restoration services. Technicians utilize moisture detection sensors and infrared cameras to discover hidden water pockets. Truck-mounted extraction units remove water and sewage spills. Environmentally safe cleaners and deodorizers are applied to sanitize affected areas and remove odors. All Pro Services deploys specialized equipment that quickly dries carpet, inside walls, underneath cabinets, and on floors.

For more information about Salt Lake City, UT, water damage restoration, contact the office by phone at (435) 660-5646 or email office@allproutah.com.